The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.

THE GREAT CITY LODGE , No . 1426 .

THE last meeting of this Lodge for the season was held on Saturday , 14 th inst ., at the Cannon-street Hotel . Bro . Baber W . M . presided , supported by his Officers , Brethren and Visitors : — Bros . Venn P . M . 23 , Simpson 1196 , Crosbie 1635 , Baxter 1296 , Doyle 146 , Tallent P . M . 186 , Parkinson 57 , Cozens 907 , Goodwin 1768 , Deacon 29 . The minntes of the last Lodge having been read

by Bro . Blackie P . M . and Secretary , some motions concerning the government of the Lodge were discussed and disposed of ; the next bnsiness was the election of a W . M . for the ensuing year , Bro . Fendick being unanimously chosen to fill that office . The same unanimity waa shown in the case of Bro . Headon P . M ., who was

re-elected to the responsible post of Treasurer of the Lodge , an office which he has filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the brethren for many years past . Bro . Potter was also re-elected Tyler of the Lodge . The Audit and Almoners' Committees were appointed . An application came from a person who represented

himself to be a Spanish Mason ; after an investigation of the case , ifc was dismissed as unworthy the assistance of the Lodge . There being no further business Lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned for refreshment , the W . M . presiding . At its conclusion , tne toast of the Queen was given , followed by the National Anthem , Bro . Cozens

presiding at the pianoforte . The W . M . said the next toast he had the honour to propose was that of the Most Worshipful Grand Master the Prince of Wales , who at all times felt the greatest interest in Freemasonry , and , as proof of this , if any were wanting , he heard that on Tuesday next he intended to introduce his eldest son

and initiate him into the ranks of Freemasonry . Therefore , there was every probability that at some future time the Craffc would greet him as Most Worshipful Grand Master . It showed how deeply his Royal Highness had the interests of the Craft at heart by thus early initiating his eldest son as a Freemason . Their Grand Master

was always engaged in some good work ; it was only the day before that he and the Princess of Wales were at the Mansion House , rendering whatever services they could to do honour to the memory of General Gordon . The W . M . gave the health of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , Most Worshipfnl Grand

Master , which was enthusiastically responded to , followed by "God Bless the Prince of Wales , " by Bro . Cozens . The other formal toasts were given and responded to . Bro . Keeble I . P . M . said that was the last time he should address the brethren as I . P . M ., and therefore he should ask their indulgence while he proposed

the health of their W . M . He no doubt felt that it was his misfortune not to have done a greater amount of work , for had ifc been given him to do he would have performed it with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the Lodge ; bufc as it was , he would leave the chair with the best wishes of every member , adding lustre to the

noble band of Past Masters , of whom he would become a worthy member . As this was the last opportunity he should have of addressiug them , he was determined to make the most of it , bnt if he was interrupted , he feared he should breakdown ; he therefore thought he had better stop at once and propose the health of tbe W . M .

Brother Baber said he thanked their I . P . M . for tbe manner in which he had proposed , and the brethren for the cordial way in which they had received the toast ; he was sorry that the term of his office had come to an end , for it appeared to be a very short one . He was rather dissatisfied he had had so little to do , and thafc was

why the time appeared so short . He thanked them sincerely for the manner in which they had received the toast of his health , and for the uniform kindness shown him since he occupied the chair . The W . M . said the next toasfc he had to propose was that of tbe Visitors ; The Great City Lodge always gave them a hearty welcome .

Bro . Tallent returned thanks . The W . M . then gave the P . M . 's , and alluded to the services they had rendered to the Lodge . Bro . Keeble returned thanks ; he was much obliged to the W . M . for the manner in whioh he had proposed the toast . It had been to him a great pleasure to be at the right hand of the W . M . dnring his term of office .

He had already mentioned that that would be the last occasion on which he should return thanks in the capacity of I . P . M ., and from henceforth he should take a lower seat amongst the Past Masters with a deal of pride . Other Past Masters likewise returned thanks . The W . M . said tbe toast he had next to propose was that of the

Treasnrer and Secretary . Their Treasurer had that night been re-elected with unanimity , and he doubted not that he would be so re-elected for some years to come . The same remark would apply to Bro . Blackie , tbe Secretary , who although labouring under disadvantages in necessarily being away so much from London , yet still had

devoted his best energies to the good of the Lodge . The toasfc was cordially received . Bro . Headon P . M . and Treasurer said it almost appeared idle on his part to say that he heartily returned thanks for the compliment which he had received for many years past , as the brethren were always kind in the manner in which the toast of the

Treasurer was received , , but he must say that he had endured a certain amount of agony for years past , as all his ideas were worn out . He wanted some now ideas ; they had the samo old toasfc and the same old thanks ; he looked forward with anxiety to the time when he should have something now to say , but that was exceedingly

difficult to find . At present he was placed in much snch a dilemma in returning thanks as in singing " God save the Queen" ever ancl over again ; he was exhausted in speech , bnt at the next meeting he would endeavour to give them something new ; they must be content with his formal thanks for the favour

they had conferred upon him . Bro . Blackie P . M . and Secretary , in returning thanks said , iu delivering np his collar , from that night he should not again have to respond t ) the toast of the Secretary , but he should leave everything in order and a perfect state ; when

a successor came in and took possession ho would find the dnties of his office a much easier task than he had found them . That was the last time he should address them as Secretary ; although he had occupied the pjsitiou for five years be had always been received with courtesy , and he believed that during the whole

The Great City Lodge, No. 1426.

of thafc time he had never given offe nee to any one . In conclusion he thanked the brethren for the ho nonr they had conferred npon him . The V 7 . M . proposed the health of the W . M . elect , saying that they had worked together for some years past ; ifc was a pleasure

to be associated with him , and it would be a satisfaction to him to instal him into the chair , certain that ho would fulfil all the dutiea and add lustre to the Lodge . Bro . Fendick S . W . returned thanks . The Tyler ' s toast brought the meeting to a close .

Honor Oak Lodge. No. 1986.

HONOR OAK LODGE . No . 1986 .

THE installation meeting was held on the 11 th instanfc , at the Moore Park Hotel , Honor Oak , S . E ., and the brethren mnsfc be congratulated on the arrangements made for the convenience and comfort of those who attended . Sixty brethren were present in Lodge , of whom fifty-five afterwards sat down to refreshment . Lodge was opened by the Worshipful Master , Bro . C . H . Phillips , who was

well supported by his Officers . The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed . There were three candidates for initiation , vjz . ;—Mr . Joseph Andrews , Dr . Robert Lockharfc Lawson , Mr . Wm . Henry Cloake ; these gentlemen were approved by Ballot , and were admitted to the mysteries and privileges of antient Freemasonry ;

the working ; of the ceremony being mosfc creditable to the W . M . and Officers . The Lodge having been advanced , the W . M . elect , Bro . H . Maunder Williams , was presented by Bro . John Hammond , for fche benefit of installation . The Board of Installed Masters numbered twenty . In due course the new W . M . appointed his predecessor

I . P . M . and invested his Officers , as follow : —Bros . Henry Sfcokea S . W ., J . W . Hartley J . W ., W . Hopekirk P . M . ( elected ) Treasurer , John Hammond P . P . G . D . Middlesex Secretary , Herbert Hooper S . D ., Aug . Darch P . M . J . D ., T . W . Aldwinckle I . G ., F . France D . C ; J . H . Worstenoroft A . D . C , W . H . Simons Organist , W . Bartlett Wine

Steward , J . Fuller A . S ., A . Pitman Assistant Organist , G . R . Langley Assistant Secretary , C Thomas Tyler . The installation ceremony was concluded by the Installing Master Bro . Phillips giving the several charges mosfc impressively . The W . M ., in the name of the Lodge , presented a P . M . 's jewel to Bro . Phillips , as a mark of esteem

and in appreciation of his valuable services as one of the Founders of the Lodge and Worshipful Master for the year 1884 . 5 . He had also to ask his acceptance of a collar and P . M . ' s jewel , from some of his friends in the Lbdge , as a token of Brotherly Love . He added that the brethren valued Bro . Phillips' services most highly , and trusted

that he might long be spared to them , to hia Lodge , and to his family . Bro . Phillips acknowledged the gifts in suitable terms . Visitors present : —Bros . E . Bowyer , J . L . Mather , R . A . Matthews , G . Beavis , H . Baldwin , P . T . Breary , W . H . Williams , A . R . Cranch , C H . Spiller , T . H . Spiller , J . R . Johnson , C W . Fox , A . J . Belli * , S . Richardson ,

Sidney Hill , R . Walden , C Wise , S . R , Smith , J . W . Williams , E . A . Francis , A . E . Albert , James Leutchford , W . T . A . Mayer , W . M . G . Cooper , R . R . Johnstone , J . S . Hudepohl , A . Gooch . The ceremonies were accompanied throughout by Bro . Sidney Hill , Org . 1216 , whose improvisations on the or ^ an were extremely

appropriate . An excellent banquet was provided by the host , Bro . Bye , and after the cloth was removed the W . M . gave The Queen and the Craft , following this with the M . W . G . M . To the toast of the Grand Officers Bro . Edgar Bowyer P . G . St . B . responded . The I . P . M ., in proposing the health of the W . M ., said they had worked shoulder

to shoulder in Masonry for several years . No more worthy brother than the W . M ., nor one who worked more zealously for his Lodge and the interests of the Craft generally , could be found . He predicted a must successful year of office . The W . M ., after thanking them , assured the brethren he would do all in his power to maintain

the credit of the Lodge . Hehal no doubt he should have the cordial co-operation of each Officer and member . Each of the Initiates responded to the toast given in their honour . The W . M . welcomed the Visitors to the Lodge . Seveveral personal friends had come from long distances to support him and to favour the Lodge with their

presence . Many brethren from Cheshire and Lancashire , with whom he spent the early days of his Masonic career , had sent their con-<; ratnlations and best wishes to the Lodi ? e . Bros . Williams , Beavis , Matthews , Mather , Breary , King , Bikiwin , and Bellis responded . Bro . Binckes acknowledged the toast of the Masonic Institutions ,

and made a powerful appeal to the brethren to practise tbe great Masonic Virtue—Charity—and to support Bro . C H . Phillips , their I . P . M ., who had promised to represent the Lodge at the next Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . It was incidentally mentioned that the brethen of the Lodge had an especial interest

in the approaching election , as the son of their fa ' e Br . ther Ambrose would be a candidate . After some other toasis Lod ^ e was closed . The vocal music between the toasts was CO ifcributed by Bros .

Simons , Cranch , Johnstone , Pitman , and S . S . Young , Bro . Sidney Hill as pianist . As the result of Bro . Binckes' appeal , we are "ratified in being able to state that a considerable sum was added to the I . P . M . 's list .

Abbey Lodge, No. 2030.

ABBEY LODGE , No . 2030 .

PROBABLY the career of the Abbey Lodge , Westminster , has no equal in Masouic annals . As its number—2030—indicates , it ia of recent creation ; its first anniversary was , indeed , only celebrated on the 9 fch inst ., at Westminster Town Hall , yet it has a r > . ll of membership of nearly eighty , and applicants to participate in its hpnfiGts rather increase than diminish . Doubtless much of the

success of the undertaking is due to the interest which Mr . Burdetfc-Coutts and the Baroness Burdett-Coutts have taken in its welfare ; the former has now for a year occupied the chair , and is about to retire from office with the thanks and esteem of his brethren ; the

latter , at its inception , presented the Lodge with one of the handsomest sets of furniture to be found in a young Lodge . That the brethren of t' e L jdge fully appreciated the labours of their W . M . was shown on Monday , when they informally offered himthi